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A starched shirt, crisp and tailored, shaping your Monday-Thru-Friday body like a glove. A close shave, a spritz of cologne, and a fresh cut. You accessorize appropriately, pairing the perfect tie, socks and pocket square with your blazer. You’re ready for the big event.

“Cheese!” You smile, revealing peaches and cream corn rows of a regular brush, floss and semi-annual cleaning. Could it be better? Sure. You grind your teeth at night, you brush on occasion, you floss with the regularity of Cleveland Browns playoff wins.

Coffee, tea, wine, blueberries, tobacco… there are many reasons why one would have stained teeth. But the reasons to have white teeth are far more plentiful.

Are your teeth made of wood?

Your smile lights up a room. It’s a chandelier, set to a moment. Laugh, and it lights up a room.

Pearls that showcase the gateway to your soul. When was the last time you saw yellow pearls?

Smile. You’re taking a picture in a poorly lit room, with a limited lense. Your teeth will show. Are they yellow?

“Do you like yellow teeth? Are you a yellow teeth man? Do you only date people with yellow teeth?”

“Are yellow teeth part of your identity?”

Do you like yellow? When you smile, do people yell, “Taxi!”, as if they’re hailing a Yellow Cab?

Do you notice people using the descriptor, “bananas”, in place of “crazy/strange/weird..” while in your presence? You hear, “…it was all yellow…” on the radio. A chorus from a Coldplay song. And you immediately assume it was dedicated to you.

You know when you spill mustard on a crisp linen shirt? It’s noticeable. But not in a good way…

“Perhaps your smile looks great… In a black and white filter.”

“I really think that your smile looks amazing…. When you’re on the telephone.”

“You should smile more often. This room could use some color.”

“What does a great smile get you in this world? Seriously…. I’m asking… Please ask someone with a great smile.”

People often ask “what are the best foods I can eat for my teeth?” and while the candy company wants us to say “CAKE” or something, ok maybe you want that too, we just can’t say that. HOWEVER there are some decent foods that most people like that promote great teeth and mouth health, not to mention benefit your bodies as well!

Cheese! Might as well start strong right? Cheese is obviously loved by many people, and fortunately for those people, a study published in the May/June 2013 issue of General Dentistry, the journal of the American Academy of General Dentistry, reported at EurekAlert! found that eating cheese raised the pH in the subjects’ mouths and lowered their risk of tooth decay. There are a few reasons why, but let’s just eat the cheese already!

Fruits, such as apples, might be sweet, and we can’t eat too many of those things, but apples are high in fiber and water which when chewed produces saliva which can rinse away bacteria and food particles! And when you can’t brush right after a meal an apple could be your next best choice!

Like cheese, yogurt is high in calcium and protein, making is a good choice for your teeth health. The probiotics, or good bacteria, in yogurt can also crowd out the bacteria that causes cavities. If you decide to add more yogurt to your diet, choose a plain variety with no added sugar, even though the sugary ones are really good…

Leafy greens, ya ya, we know that this is the boring one that every good food list has… Leafy greens such as kale and spinach also promote oral health because they are high in calcium! It’s not just milk that has calcium contrary to popular belief!

There are a number of great food choices that can promote a healthy mouth, and we cannot forget to overlook one of the most important parts of our bodies!

It also may be that time to give Dr. Rob Andrew a call at Urban Smiles Family Dental! He can’t wait to see you!

Well it seems that there are many reasons to hoist a glass high and “cheers” allowed with friends over some sort of Holiday, celebration, dinner, or just a Tuesday.. And while we encourage everyone to have a great and responsible time we do need to remind you of the effects alcohol can have on your teeth, we don’t want to be the downers… HOWEVER maybe today’s tips can give you the best of both worlds, a great celebration, AND a way to keep that smile perfect!

First things first The CDC considers heavy drinking to be more than eight drinks a week for women, and 15 or more for men. Gum disease, tooth decay, and mouth sores are all much more likely for heavy drinkers, and alcohol abuse is the second most common risk factor for oral cancer. So this being said we can all work towards a moderate balanced lifestyle that helps protect our bodies AND our teeth!

Secondly, The American Dental Association (ADA) warns that one of the often-forgotten side effects of alcohol can be just as damaging to your teeth: dehydration. Alcohol Consumption leads to a decrease in saliva flow, so instead of being washed away naturally, bacteria clings to the enamel and increases your risk of tooth decay. A GREAT rule of thumb is to order a round of water in between rounds of cocktails! This serves multiple purposes, not even the least of which is how your head feels the next morning…

And thirdly if you already have sensitive teeth, like whitening toothpaste, some over-the-counter mouthwashes and rinses contain alcohol and other chemicals that can make your teeth more sensitive — especially if your dentin’s exposed. Instead, try neutral fluoride rinses or simply skip the rinse and be more diligent about flossing and brushing.

We hope these tips help next time that party rolls around! And in the meantime come visit us at Urban Smiles Family Dental in Edmonton, Alberta!!!

Well it’s Valentines day! We all know that it is supposed to be the day of love, whether you love a significant other or not, we can ALL take a little bit of time to love ourselves right? Well this Valentine’s day take a little bit of time to take your teeth to the tooth spa!

Hey if we started calling the dentist office the Tooth Spa maybe a lot less people would be absolutely terrified of the dentist! But you know what, the dentist SHOULD be thought of a spa! Yes ok there are medical procedures done, some can be uncomfortable, but have you ever had a shiatsu massage?!!? Talk about uncomfortable…

Not only that but at the spa everything is white and clean, at the dentist it’s way cleaner and your teeth come out way whiter that the spa could ever make those towels! The Tooth spa Idea is growing on you at this point I am sure!

In all seriousness though, we really need to treat our teeth to the spa once in a while. We only have the teeth we have and we really need to take care of them, the same way we need to treat our bodies when we go to the spa!

So this Valentine’s day, take your teeth on a date, head to Urban Smiles Family Tooth Spa, I mean Family Dental… And treat your teeth to a day at the tooth spa!

It is the New Year! 2018 has arrived and we here at Urban Smiles could not be happier! Why you ask? Well because we have a whole new year to help as many people as possible achieve their greatest smile they possibly can! Here are some tips to wear that beautiful smile BEYOND even the dentist chair!

Regardless of how your 2017 was, this is a NEW year, anytime we take old baggage around with us, whether we see it as bad or good even, is just less room for us to grow as individuals! This is a fresh season with possibility to get outside of the “normal” things, and to experiment with incredible new experiences!

What makes you smile? Maybe this year is the year you can find another avenue of what you LOVE to do! It is strange that we step back so abruptly from all those dreams we had when we were young isn’t it? Well it by no means that we cannot bring those back to the surface! Try to take a step in 2018 to bring a new smile to your face!

Find your friends! Interaction with other people has been proven to bring more smiles to your life. While we all know of difficult relationships, there are definitely those we both love and cherish! Focus 2018 on making these stronger!

And finally, and yes this is a practical one, COME SEE US! We really want to help that smile stay in it’s healthiest form! We know that mentally it is so important to keep your health high, we believe that physically having a healthy smile will only add to your successful 2018! Happy New Year Everyone!

Well it’s that time again! To some yes they say bah humbug, but to others it is a festive time with great food, friends and yes, even family (well we hope that part is true for you anyway…) But you might be thinking, hey what does a dentist have to do with Christmas, well not much, EXCEPT for the fact that dentists too can take a deserved break!

Of course a dentist office focus’ on patients, makes sense right? Well we just want to take a few seconds to wish all of the dentists out there a very Merry Christmas as well! It’s time you take a break, recharge, and come back refreshed so you can continue putting smiles on all of your patients faces!

Sometimes it is way too easy to forget to take a bit of time to reflect, and relax. 2017 I am sure had both ups and downs, but what did we learn? How did we grow? How can we enter 2018 by putting our best foot forward? Take the time this season!

And to all those of us who frequent that dentist, spread some of that holiday cheer and show off that beautiful smile that you AND your dentist keep shining bright! From ALL of us here at Urban Smiles Family Dental here in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Have a great Holiday season, and a very happy new year as you ring in 2018!

People all over the world today are trying to find a way to feel better about themselves. It has actually become big business hasn’t it? Motivational speakers, inspirational movies, social media pages all dedicated to make you feel better about yourself. But what if we told you that you smiling, was all it would take to bring your self esteem higher up on the scale?

Think about why you smile. Something funny happened? Sure that’s a common one. But what about if you thought about something good that happened in your life? Imagine the time someone was there for you, helping you out when it was hard. How about thinking about all the things around you in your life that are good. Shelter, food, warmth, I bet that a feeling of thankfulness can change a lot.

It seems that the times we are not smiling, are the times we have simply forgotten all the blessings we really do have! Not everyone’s situation is perfect by any stretch of the imagination, however there seems to always be some sort of silver lining, if we are actually willing to look for it!

Today take a moment, just a moment, to allow yourself to smile about something great in your lifetime, that smile that comes to you right there, that is one real one that we all want to see!

Come show us your smile here at Urban Smiles this holiday season! We would love to see you soon!

It is getting SO CLOSE! Most kids are freaking out about that fateful eve of December 25th already dreaming about the wrapping paper, well the toys, it’s the parents that have to deal with the paper usually.. Anyway, while the children anticipate the guy in the red suit, we are anticipating all those smiles in all of those photos!!!

Now is the time to get those teeth checked over, cleaned up, and ready for the many family photos and visits from friends over the holidays! It’s always a good time to do this, but just like getting a haircut before a holiday, we believe it is just as important, if not more to get a check up on your teeth!

There is something about a confident smile that can set a mood in a room. People like to be around people that are happy! And if you are happy about your smile then there is a good chance you are going to be part of some awesome gatherings this December! Moreso don’t get too worried when something doesn’t go perfect, just keep smiling!

At Urban Smiles Family Dental we will do what we do best in preparing your smile for the Holiday season! Come in and say hi and book your check-up for your whole family! And don’t forget, keep smiling, it can brighten someone’s day!

Well here we go! Another festive season is fast approaching and the stores are being pillaged for all those stocking stuffers. Well fortunately for all of you dentists have a pretty good idea for all of those (Currently) empty stockings!

Yes ok we are going to say fill up everyone’s stocking with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss, BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE! First off the standard teeth cleaning tools are a must because with January 1 coming a lot of people decide to take better care of their teeth at this time, and you just provided them the tools to do so!

But what else could go into that red and white sock (we really do have some strange traditions..) instead of the typical mountain of candy? GUM! But not just ANY gum, there are many sugar free non-aspartame options available for gum these days! And if you know a gum chewer maybe you can get them to switch!

There are also many teeth healthy choices for candy you can find now aswell, and if there are some extra sweets in there remember, you got them a sweet new toothbrush anyway!

Christmas can be an awesome time, but be sure to take care of that smile! Book your check up here at Urban Smiles Family dental to make sure all those family photos show how YOU take care of one of your greatest assets!

Well it’s that time of year, Holiday season. With Thanksgiving in America, and a short time later Christmas, the amount of feasting that is about to take place will have a bit of an impact on the regular North American. And while a high percentage are worried about their waistlines, maybe it’s time to think about your teeth through this season!

Now don’t get us wrong, we want you to enjoy this time to the fullest! But with a few added precautions you can not only take care of your teeth, but also your waistlines! #1 as always is be sure to not overindulge! Easier said than done when grandma’s pumpkin pie hits the table… But try brushing your teeth after you eat that one piece of pie, it might help you think twice about eating something else right away!

Eat LOTS of vegetables with the rest of your meal, Fill your plate with an assortment of colorful veggies, full of smile-friendly vitamins and minerals. Red and orange veggies are usually high in vitamin C (good for gums), while leafy green vegetables are good sources of calcium (for strong teeth). And these vegetables actually do help you fill up faster!

Finally be sure to drink a lot of water! This helps all of our bodies systems, and when drinking wine or other acidic beverages and foods, water will help rinse the mouth and restore a proper environment!

Here at Urban Smiles we want all of you to enjoy this time with family and friends, we also want to see that beautiful smile again, so be sure to book an appointment after, or even during this season, to make sure that smile stays bright!!!